Stories of Service
Bronislaw "Bruno" "Barney" Wantuch
Chicago Heights, ILL.
Bronislaw "Bruno" Wantuch served in the United States Army during World War I. The enlistment was in July 1917 and the service was completed September 1919.
Submitted by his daughter - Bernardine Gwiazda
My father was born in Burzyn, Poland, in 1891. Bronislaw Wantuch arrived at Ellis Island at age 17, and with his Polish heritage, his inherent work ethic, along with courtesy and respect for co-workers of many nationalities, he helped build America.
During WWI he enlisted in the US Army 123906 Corporal Battery A Field Artillery. He and other Polish-Americans believed in liberty and freedom for the world. His sergeant could not pronounce his name and "Bronislaw Wantuch" became "Barney Wantuck."
In France, Barney fought at St.Mihiel as a "Dough Boy" on the front lines. He served in Battery A of the 15th Artillery, twice at the battles of St. Mihiel, and also at Soissons. Later, he nearly died from the flu that was contracted on the front lines. Significant circumstances allowed him to be at the right place at the right time. After being released from the military hospital, he had great news. A French cavalry man told him Germany had surrendered. Barney was the first to carry the news into Vichy, France, but had a hard time convincing the residents because of the false armistice a few days earlier. It so happened he delivered the real news to Colonel Robert Rutherford McCormick. The war was over, Germany surrendered! He was honorably discharged as a corporal in September 1919.
Barney Wantuch Nov. 11, 1919 First Armistice Day Parade, Chicago Heights, Ill
Shortly after on October 10, 1920, he married pretty Valerie Wasik at their neighborhood church. Their reception included chicken soup and homemade noodles at a local Polish Falcons Hall. The war stories began. Blessed with a sound mind and body, he encouraged traumatized American veterans to work through their terrible experiences. I recall hearing about the war with my sisters, Florence and Evelyn many times. The war stories he told, taught us faith, love, humility, bravery, patriotism and respect for others. All three daughters married men who served in WWII--Warren Kaufman, Willard Heusmann, and my husband Walter Gwiazda respectively. My father was truly a war hero, like so many more Polish-Americans who fought in WWI. They are being commemorated at this time to appreciate the fight for freedom.